The Rural Studio in Newbern, a branch of the University of Alabama, has existed for more than 20 years. During this period, it has proved possible to implement more than 150 student projects in one of the poorest regions of the US. The students work locally in groups to define meaningful and, for the most part, socially committed, sustainable buildings, ultimately constructing these themselves, too. In addition to various 20K houses – simple, but fully developed homes costing no more than $20,000 – a number of communal schemes have been implemented.
Up to now, a community of more than 200 people lived in Newbern with no place of public assembly. A new town hall built close to the fire station – also a Rural Studio project and hitherto the centre of community life – now defines a public open space. A covered barbecue area flanked by a wall and a planted screen of preoxidized expanded-metal elements shields the green area from the parking space to the rear. The centrepiece of the new development is formed by the council assembly room together with a multipurpose meeting space with a glazed facade.
The dominant feature of the town hall is its bald cypress squared log wall construction – protected by large eaves projections. The rear-ventilated roof is borne by slender tubular-steel trussed girders. All components must be able to compensate for shrinkage of the timber. Beams are fixed in position by vertical threaded rods; and plugged connections with sealing strips ensure an impermeable outer skin. In addition, windows and doors are fixed with slotted connections inside or outside the walls. In this way, constructional constraint has been turned to design advantage.
Up to now, a community of more than 200 people lived in Newbern with no place of public assembly. A new town hall built close to the fire station – also a Rural Studio project and hitherto the centre of community life – now defines a public open space. A covered barbecue area flanked by a wall and a planted screen of preoxidized expanded-metal elements shields the green area from the parking space to the rear. The centrepiece of the new development is formed by the council assembly room together with a multipurpose meeting space with a glazed facade.
The dominant feature of the town hall is its bald cypress squared log wall construction – protected by large eaves projections. The rear-ventilated roof is borne by slender tubular-steel trussed girders. All components must be able to compensate for shrinkage of the timber. Beams are fixed in position by vertical threaded rods; and plugged connections with sealing strips ensure an impermeable outer skin. In addition, windows and doors are fixed with slotted connections inside or outside the walls. In this way, constructional constraint has been turned to design advantage.